John McVeigh (Groom, Liberal Party) Share this | Hansard source

In recent weeks, I've had the opportunity to discuss with various small and family businesses across the electorate of Groom the government's recent announcements on further tax relief for such businesses. I can confirm to the House that this is welcomed in Toowoomba and across the Darling Downs. Fast-tracking tax relief further in terms of bringing it forward five years has been met with significant support from the Groom electorate, and we know that those businesses will benefit significantly.

They've confirmed to me that this will create jobs, boost productivity and allow them to grow, and this is particularly important in Groom where we have some 16,826 small and family businesses in agriculture, in services, in tourism and in resources right across the economy. The CEO of the local chamber of commerce, the Toowoomba Chamber of Commerce, Jo Sheppard, put it very, very well when she explained publicly that the likely savings will mean all the difference to a small business. She said: 'It can allow a business to invest more in its online marketing strategy, for example. It could employ that part-time person its not been able to employ before. In some instances, it could help the operator actually take a wage for a change. That will help it be more sustainable in the long term.'

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